CFO - Manchester England

Are you a School Finance Manager or MAT Management Accountant ready to step into your first C-suite role? Or a CFO/CFOO of a smaller trust searching for a role that truly challenges and inspires you? Do you want to be part of a MAT with big ambitions and a strong sense of purpose? Would you love to start each day motivated by the impact of your work, knowing you're making a real difference? With a forward-thinking CEO who values your expertise and a collaborative, driven team that takes pride in what they do?

If this sounds like you, I’d love to hear from you. I’m partnering with Ambition Community Trust (Manchester area) to help them find a Permanent CFO. As CFO, you’ll provide strategic leadership across finance, operations, and sustainability, ensuring the trust's long-term financial health and operational excellence. Working closely with the CEO, school leaders, and Trustees, you’ll shape strategic planning, oversee resource allocation, and manage risk to support the trust's educational mission.

Ambition Community Trust believes that children learn best when they feel safe, supported, and valued. Their approach to Relational Inclusion puts emotional well-being at the heart of education, creating nurturing school communities where every child has the opportunity to thrive. With an ambitious vision to become a centre of excellence in relational education, they are redefining what’s possible for young people. As CFO, you’ll be key in securing the trust's financial and operational strength, helping to turn this vision into reality.

Key Details:

• Salary: Starting from £75,000 (negotiable).
• Permanent, full-year position (52 weeks).
• 35 hours per week with flexibility.
• Hybrid working - manage your time across multiple sites.
• Schools based in Trafford, Manchester, and Tameside.

CFO Responsibilities:

• Provide financial and operational leadership, advising the CEO, Board, and school leaders.
• Oversee finance, HR, estates, and health & safety at a strategic level.
• Lead and develop the Business Support Team to enhance trust-wide services.
• Conduct financial due diligence for new schools joining the trust.
• Identify and mitigate financial and operational risks.
• Ensure compliance with all relevant legal and regulatory requirements.
• Manage budget planning, financial reporting, procurement, and audit processes.
• Lead income generation strategies and oversee contract negotiations.
• Line manage the Operations Manager and HR lead.
• Implement a robust risk management framework, covering finance, estates, and safeguarding.
• Ensure GDPR, cybersecurity, and data protection compliance.
• Represent the trust in external networks and forums.

The CFO Must Have/Be:

• A degree-level qualification.
• A professional finance or finance-related qualification (or willingness to gain one).
• Experience managing large financial resources with a strong grasp of compliance.
• Expertise in financial strategy, leadership, and operational management.
• Strong analytical, decision-making, and problem-solving skills.
• Experience leading teams and driving organisational improvements.
• Strong IT, numeracy, and communication skills.
• A driving licence and own transport.
• Willingness to undergo a DBS check.

Interested? Let’s Talk!

Appoint-Ed is managing this recruitment exclusively for Ambition Community Trust - all direct and agency applications will be forwarded to us. Send your CV via this ad or contact Kellie Gordon at Appoint-Ed to discuss the role further.